By IANS,
New Delhi : Delhi Daredevils may have attracted a fair bit of crowd during their opening clash against Rajasthan Royals, but GMR Sports, franchise owner of the capital’s team in the inaugural DLF Indian Premier League (IPL) is contemplating to slash the price of tickets for its matches.
The ticket sales according to the Daredevils officials, was “good” but they still want to ensure a greater “sale” and give out fewer complimentary passes. The new pricing will be made public in the next day or two.
Well, that sure would be a welcome move for the Daredevils fans, who numbered close almost 30,000 in a capacity of 43,000 for the first game at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium here last week.
*-*
Challenge to ensure sizeable spectators in hot Delhi
Daredevils have another challenge apart from managing the unruly Delhi crowd – to be fair to them, they were better behaved than ever before – and that to ensure a sizeable crowd for May 8 match against Chennai Super Kings.
That match is to be played in the afternoon with the scheduled start at 4 pm.
With afternoon temperatures crossing 40 degrees centigrade and the met department expecting it to go as high as 45 degrees, it sure will be taxing problem for the fans.
And Daredevils would do well to concentrate on ensuring adequate water supply in the stands.
*-*
Ensuring everybody stays in practice
Two big wins in two matches is a great start, but it is also cause of concern for the Delhi Daredevils team management.
With Daredevils registering nine-wicket wins in both games against Rajasthan Royals and Deccan Chargers, only skipper Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan have had a go at batting, while on the bowling front, Glenn McGrath and Ferveez Maharoof have done a fine job.
Daredevils coach Greg Shippard wanted other players to get some batting practice and hence opted to train on the ground rather than the nets on the outer ground at Ferozeshah Kotla.
*-*
Fitness may be a cause of concern
The travelling and heat has already begun to take its toll, as many of the Delhi Daredevils players are down with a stomach bug.
Daredevils had had problems with New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori, who missed the Hyderabad match, and also Tillekeratne Dilhan who is having similar problems.
The team management has been mum on the issue saying all players will be fit in time for the Sunday match against Kings XI Punjab in Mohali.